Food
Hospitality
Even though the Philippines is a third world country, you can expect to be well fed there. Offering food is how Filipinos demonstrate hospitality, and it is a rare event to visit a household – no matter how poor they are – and not be offered any food.
(And if you’re just going to be eating out, don’t worry: food is soooooo cheap! Seven of my family members went to eat out once and we were all satisfied afterward. The bill? It was equivalent to $36 USD.)
Typically, hosts will ask, “Kumain ka na ba?” meaning, “Have you eaten?” Or they’ll simply bring out some dishes and say, “Kain na,” meaning, “Eat!”
In America, if food or drinks are offered during a visit, it’s completely acceptable to decline. However, refusing an offer in the Philippines may be considered somewhat rude.
So if you’ll be visiting multiple households in succession, don’t have a feast at any one place so you have room for the next one!
Meals
It is common for Filipinos family members to eat meals together at the dining table when everyone is home. Although breakfast and lunch may not necessarily be shared together (because people have different morning schedules and not everyone is home for lunch), most dinners are had with the whole family. It allows for conversations that may not otherwise take place and provides daily bonding for everyone.
Breakfast staples
– Fried rice
– Fried eggs
– Hotdogs
– Pandesal
– Tasty (sliced bread)
– Coffee/water
Lunch & Dinner
– Ulam (“main dish,” which varies from adobo, sinangag, tinola, pancit, fried chicken, ginataan manok, etc.)
– RICE (It is very, highly unlikely that one will encounter a Filipino household that does not serve rice. It is a necessity.)
– Water/soda/iced tea/juice